Ben of Master of Malt has been promising s nice Ardbeg Bottling for some time, and tweeting about it, announcing it is near. Then one Thursday afternoon i saw him tweet about it being released tomorrow 1200 am GMT for under 90 quid. I was debating weather to get it or not (after spending a bit too much on drams lately, like most of you i am sure). The day after an email was sent to MOM Subscribers. I was keeping an eye on the situation, and what began as a 250 bottle release soon became one of the fastest selling single casks in MoM history. A half an hour after all started there were only 100 or so left, at that moment i decided to get one, or be sorry forever. Frankly it was a no brainer, when lately did you see a cask strength, 18 year old Ardbeg Single cask go for as low as £79.95!!! , a steal, and knowing Ben and MoM, i know no Bad cask is going to ever bottled. Glad i got a bottle as it took only 2 hours for the entire lot to be sold out. Wow. While i have not yet popped open my bottle (too many open bottles i need to finish first), i was glad to get a wee sampler on the mail, and Boy i was not disappointed. A wintery day (not that cold, it’s Israel , but wet it was) perfect to try this little cracker, bottled from a refill ex-sherry hogshead.
Master of Malt 18 year old Ardbeg , 56.30% , 252 bottles £79.95 (Gone)
Nose: Starts off very lemony and citrusy. Then getting lightly peaty. Not very medicinal and quite restrained. Chilly pepper. Some cereal underneath and them fruit as in unripe oranges.
Palate: Peat , smoke , red grapefruit . Bitter citrusy mixed with smoke and earthy peat. Ashy as Ardbegs go. Chilly powder. Bitter and ashy all the way. With a touch of kirsch.
Finish : Dry Ashy with bits of lemon rind, with distant smoke.
A lovely dram. Almost like licking a lemon popsicle after smoking a cigar. Not medicinal at all, and also not very salty, a very refreshing little cask!